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EDITOR'S PICK
'Birdman'
- unconventional style and performances (IANS Movie Review)
Rating:
****
With an alternate title, 'The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance,' which
appears in the movie's opening credits; 'Birdman' is an intense,
tantalising and tragic dramedy. It stands out as a unique film that spurs your
mental quotient and it has an uncanny resemblance to the premise of the Hindi
film, 'Ankhon Dekhi' directed by Rajat Kapoor. Both films are an art
house exploration of imperfect people struggling to navigate their lives.
While 'Ankhon Dekhi' is the tale of a quixotic patriarch, 'Birdman' is a tale of a fading superhero Riggan Thomson. Where,
Thomson, who attained stardom based on his work in a string of comic book
superhero films, 'Birdman,' is fighting his neurosis. The film
showcases Riggan's personal demons that include his domestic issues and internal
torment.
To revive his sagging image, Riggan Thomson, stages a comeback as a writer,
director and actor by mounting a stage production of a Raymond Carver short
story, 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,' on Broadway.
Set on a stage and between the rehearsals for the play, the narration unfurls
bringing to fore Thomson's insecurities and his interpersonal relationships
with: his now separated wife Sylvia (Amy Ryan), his daughter Sam (Emma Stone),
his friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis) who is also his producer and attorney, his
co-star and girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough), Lesley (Naomi Watts) a first
time Broadway actress, Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) a method actor and Tabitha
Dickson (Lindsay Duncan) a theatre critic.
Michael Keaton fits into Riggan Thomson's boots with passionate grace and ease,
meditating, drinking, hallucinating and fighting his way forward. He comes out
as a tortured jittery personality. You relate to him. Yet, you don't feel sorry
for him when he admits, 'I missed the moments.' Or, 'I wasn't
present in my own life.' He emotes that realisation and nervous
helplessness with panache. And that's what probably works for him in the film.
While all the ladies do their bit to perfection, it is Edward Norton who steals
the show as the perky, confident method actor. He goes to extremes with his
obsession to bring neo-realism on stage. He is a live-wire and his presence on
screen elevates the drama and humour.
Artistically crafted, the film is intellectually challenging and emotionally
confronting. The director along with co-writers Nicolas Giacobone Alexander
Dinelaris Jr and Armando Bo have designed the plot as a long-drawn anxiety
packed nightmare of complex characters. But unfortunately these plot points are
superficial and shallow in nature as they don't traverse beyond the
developmental stage. These in no way hinder the overall effect of the film or
its narration.
The dramatic pace along with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki's manipulative
camera work gives the appearance that most of the film is one continuous,
seamless long take.
What adds to the viewing experience and enhances the psychological effect of the
film, is its frenzied background score. Its adrenaline packed leitmotif of the
drum score by Antonio Sanchez is effectively used to create and drive home the
point of the insanity prevalent in the narration.
Overall, the film is a must watch for its unconventional presentation, style and
performances.